Robbery, assault reported near UNC campus

A male UNC student reported being robbed at an off-campus location Thursday shortly after 11 p.m., according to a campus-wide alert.

The victim was walking along South Columbia Street near Merritt's Store and the intersection with NC 54 when he was approached by three black men in a vehicle asking for directions.

The victim reported that when he approached the vehicle, a suspect in the rear seat with braided hair brandished a handgun and struck him. The suspects then took the victim's cell phone and wallet and drove off in a direction away from the campus.

The car is described as a gray, late-model Dodge Charger with red lettering on the side and asked for directions.

Police are asking anyone with information that may help to identify the suspect(s) to call 911 or contact the Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC Crime Stoppers at (919) 942-7515.